In Rainbows
by Radiohead
User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 2281 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,078 out of 2281
  2. Mixed: 71 out of 2281
  3. Negative: 132 out of 2281

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  1. MattR
    Mar 9, 2008
    10
    In reply to ben w comment i don't see how it is random noise it isn't there best but it is still pretty damn good better than hail to thief and amnesiac not quite a kid a or ok computer though.
  2. PiotrekW.
    Apr 5, 2008
    10
    Every single track is a masterpiece but if you want to appreciate it fully then you have to play the album at least 5 times. Great work Radiohead!
  3. AliK.
    May 3, 2008
    10
    This album is one of the best in decade. 10 years later it gonna be on of the best in All the times.
  4. SteveO
    May 5, 2008
    10
    Could this be the best album of all time? Bingo.
  5. VenturaV.
    Jun 10, 2008
    10
    Simply amazing!!!
  6. NikhilK.
    Jun 6, 2008
    10
    Continues Radiohead's march to "Greatest Band of All Time" status, following their development from the OK Computer era through Kid A, back to something in between yet refreshingly new.
  7. TerryM.
    Jul 20, 2008
    10
    The best album they have done thus far.
  8. NickL.
    Jul 24, 2008
    10
    Agreed, their best since Ok Computer.
  9. JamesM.
    Aug 5, 2008
    10
    I love all Radiohead albums and I agree, best since OK Computer. also, saw them live in Victoria park, they did every song off of In Rainbows with a few old classics thrown in too, the in rainbows tracks sounded just as epic as the others (even tho karma police stole the show)
  10. JoseC.
    Sep 18, 2008
    10
    In Rainbows is just perfect.
  11. PavithranG
    Sep 7, 2008
    10
    One of the best Radiohead album to date. This is an understatement. Legends of the modern era.
  12. RigobertoG.
    Sep 8, 2008
    10
    Best cd of the year. thom york's beautiful voice and greenwood's brilliant guitar skills amount to a perfect serenade.
  13. guvena
    Jan 16, 2009
    10
    It's all about feelings. you make your way through shit and piss, end up in rainbows. nothing is better, lots of ups and downs, haves and havents and shit, all you see are colors. but colors aren't rainbows. rainbows are amazing, easy to feel and much clearer. so is "in rainbows". easy to love, hard to not listen. great musicians they are.
  14. AtticusM
    Mar 17, 2009
    10
    It's very rare when an album comes along and redefines music. Thank you, Radiohead.
  15. martin
    Mar 4, 2009
    10
    Something so beautiful, that it just floats around my mind like a small cloud on a sunny sky.
  16. Skyler
    Apr 27, 2009
    10
    Another great masterpeice. Here's a revolutionary band who is to good to have any of their songs played on the radio. they are on a different level that the other musicians cant reach.
  17. WernerB.
    Sep 13, 2009
    10
    The beauty of this album draws me down inot the deespest cahmbers of my soul, forcing me to inspect my life has unfolded to date. It makes my heart bleed and my eyes tear and my eyes stare questioningly into the distance - both itn hope and in gratefulness of that which once was and that which still lies ahead. I love this album. Highly recommended.
  18. DanielM
    Jan 25, 2010
    10
    Most influential artists of this generation.
  19. gabrielB
    Feb 13, 2010
    10
    One of my favorite albums of all-time, this is an absolute masterpiece, whenever I reach for my iPod I can't help but keep coming back to In Rainbows...Weird Fishes and Reckoner are simply gorgeous....I'm dying to see them live again and hear them play this album front to back...I don't know how they'll ever top this but I can't wait to hear them try.
  20. NateS
    Feb 20, 2010
    10
    My experience of Radiohead is owning the The Best Of and this album. I like OK Computer, I like Kid A, and I most certainly love this album. In Rainbows is in truth a deaprture from the poetic, doom-encrusted Hail To The Thief, the dreamy sounds of Kid A and Amnesiac, the urban storybook of OK Computer, the hard diamond that is The Bends, and the breakthrough Pablo Honey. Why I say all of My experience of Radiohead is owning the The Best Of and this album. I like OK Computer, I like Kid A, and I most certainly love this album. In Rainbows is in truth a deaprture from the poetic, doom-encrusted Hail To The Thief, the dreamy sounds of Kid A and Amnesiac, the urban storybook of OK Computer, the hard diamond that is The Bends, and the breakthrough Pablo Honey. Why I say all of these is because each one had a link to past albums with new things pushed inside, but In Rainbows seems to forget that equation and go all out on its own. The sounds are less rock, more technology, and lyrics so gloomy it was as if Robert Smith threw them inside a Goodwill store only for Thom Yorke to pick them up. So, the lyrics are where this album commence. Thom has done the unthinkable: cleared up his speech to where I can slightly understand them, and thank God he did. Like I said, gloom fills them. "Bodysnatchers" is a strangely woven web of confusion and instructional messages, while "All I Need" brings the sincerity and sadness that would be perfect for a mixed tape. "House Of Cards" and "Faust Arp" brings back that strange, nervous feeling, and then "15 Step" and "Nude" go back to the feelings of completeness and wholeness. Schitzophrenic, no? The composition should also be noted. No song sounds the same, which is a lovely bonus, not to mention each song has a setting. "All I Need" has a city tenge to it, "House Of Cards" is alpine, "Nude" is a cave, "Bodysnatchers" is industiral, "Faust Arp" is woodsy, and "Reckoner" is almost like a closed garage or an abandoned warehouse. So, what's to say? It's a masterpiece. There is one difficulty here, though: is it better than OK Computer? It's certainly better than Kid A and anything afterward, and better than Pablo and The Bends, but is it the gift of God? Only a fan could tell.… Expand
  21. zachs
    Feb 4, 2010
    10
    Absoloutely amazing album. What makes it so good? Well firstly, some of the songs don't hit you instantly, but they grow on you so much and you begin to have faith in the album. Also the structure is so unique and works so well for me. The catchy "15 Step" introduces the album well. The rocking "bodysnatchers" is guitar riff heaven with some interesting rhythms in the guitars that Absoloutely amazing album. What makes it so good? Well firstly, some of the songs don't hit you instantly, but they grow on you so much and you begin to have faith in the album. Also the structure is so unique and works so well for me. The catchy "15 Step" introduces the album well. The rocking "bodysnatchers" is guitar riff heaven with some interesting rhythms in the guitars that make you almost headbang. then the album stops the loudness and goes all soft and meloncolly. Some uplifts you like "Weird Fishes" and "All I Need", some relaxes you like "Nude" and "House Of Cards" and some are very catchy: "Reckoner" and "Faust Arp". Then... suddenly another fast upbeat song kicks in "Jigsaw Falling Into Place" which is my personal favourite on the album. It slowly builds up to a very catchy song. The instrumentation is complicated and the beat goes round and round! "Videotape" is very sad and depressing and ends the album perfectly.… Expand
  22. DanielN
    Mar 18, 2010
    10
    What a beautiful soundscape. What a journey within yourself. Picking apart the textures on this perfect album is on of the most pleasurable things I have ever done.
  23. jp
    Nov 1, 2007
    10
    classic
  24. ChadrickW.
    Nov 1, 2007
    10
    Radiohead always deliver's a top notch album!
  25. RicardoG.
    Nov 1, 2007
    10
    The best album of 2007, and one of the best >2000.
  26. RonS
    Oct 12, 2007
    10
    This is definitely their most consistent album since KID A. Every track brings something new and unique to the table. Bravo! We've got another masterpiece!
  27. AndréP
    Oct 12, 2007
    10
    in rainbows is the album of the year
  28. JesseJ
    Oct 12, 2007
    10
    beautiful album all in all. thom's voice is ethereal, the arrangements are lush, and the band as a whole sounds tight as usual. it may be differnt from their previous work because it's more upbeat, etc. but i feel this is the album they were destined to make at this point in their career. nude and faust arp are so gorgeous and sweeping that they truly make me sick to my stomach. beautiful album all in all. thom's voice is ethereal, the arrangements are lush, and the band as a whole sounds tight as usual. it may be differnt from their previous work because it's more upbeat, etc. but i feel this is the album they were destined to make at this point in their career. nude and faust arp are so gorgeous and sweeping that they truly make me sick to my stomach. can't expect anything less from radiohead.… Expand
  29. nathans
    Oct 12, 2007
    10
    breathtaking!
  30. LynnC
    Oct 12, 2007
    10
    There has been some good music released lately, but, expectedly, this is years better than any of it. I am just loving Thom's voice since the Eraser; the best instrument in the band.
  31. [Anonymous]
    Oct 12, 2007
    10
    Best album ever!
  32. ZacharyM
    Oct 12, 2007
    10
    Providing a vast prism of colors, tones, moods, and textures, Radiohead
  33. GaryD
    Oct 12, 2007
    10
    No filler, less gloom, all Radiohead. Still lightyears ahead of the rest. Still Towering Above the Rest
  34. JimL
    Nov 2, 2007
    10
    When you grow up, you'll realise this was the album of the year
  35. FaisalI.
    Nov 2, 2007
    10
    Radiohead's best album. Enough said.
  36. DanielJ.
    Nov 2, 2007
    10
    Incredible....the most beautifully haunting piece of music ever created. Yorkes vocals go great with the atmospheric guitar and dark bass lines not to mention the different variations of percussion.Q gave it 5 stars so do I anybody who gives it less than 4 is clearly a lunatic, I'd even worry about those who only give it 4!!!!!download it now.
  37. WilliamR.
    Nov 3, 2007
    10
    In 10 years when you speak of albums of the years, decades, of all time you will speak of this album. Perfect. Radiohead=Most important Band on the planet
  38. KristiJ
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    I had written Radiohead off... its true. After OK Computers brilliant soundtrack of my summer all those years ago I waited with baited breath for their next release and was so disappointed by Kid A that I quickly moved on and disregarded all other releases until In Rainbows. I was intruiged by their method of release and all the reviews I heard were favorable. I wasn't disappointed. I had written Radiohead off... its true. After OK Computers brilliant soundtrack of my summer all those years ago I waited with baited breath for their next release and was so disappointed by Kid A that I quickly moved on and disregarded all other releases until In Rainbows. I was intruiged by their method of release and all the reviews I heard were favorable. I wasn't disappointed. In short THIS is the album that should have followed up OK Computer. Haunting melodies wonderfully explored lyrics and a mood that sits with it from beginning to end. An A+ album!… Expand
  39. CarlosD
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    Has struck me in a manner I didn't expect. Gorgeous, addictive and even revolutionary. I'll be hard pressed to find a better album this year.
  40. JamieS
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    This will sound slightly fanboy-ish, but this is the best album Radiohead has released. With more emotional ups and downs than OK Computer, and a far better balance of experimental / rock music than Hail To The Thief. Somehow, and I would have never thought it possible, it seems more mature than Kid A or Amnesiac. Excellent job, Radiohead. Once again, you've raised the bar.
  41. JasonG
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    No words.
  42. Brendan
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    It's an instant classic. Radiohead truly is a bottomless pit of beautiful, creative music. The way that Radiohead manages to keep the music going at such a high quality after so many great songs astonishes me to no end. Definitely one of the best albums they've ever done, getting better with every listen.
  43. TresJ
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    Awesome...Once again Radiohead does the unexpected and they hit it out the park
  44. GaryG
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    I partied hard to this album last night, sniffing coke off of a stripper's inner thigh. Dat shit was bangin, dawgs!!! Yall ever sharted in someone's mouth? I have, and I did it while listening to In Rainbow, friends.
  45. simong
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    there are no words.
  46. CoreyP
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    I went into "In Rainbows" not thinking about Radiohead's previous work. With that in mind it is hand's down the best CD of the year.
  47. Tom
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    Makes me realize there are true artist still left in this world.
  48. sdjones
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    I knew from the first listen-through that this would be my favourite album of 2007. I haven't exactly been a huge fan of Radiohead's last two outings - this one is brilliant! There's shades of Jeff Buckley and even Keane (who is imitating whom?) and a million other subtlies. Complex Radiohead album-yes. Completely listenable, even accessible- also yes.
  49. DK
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    It's their masterpiece. OK Computer with heart. Takes the best of everything they've learned from their past three experiments and infuses them with the heart and emotionality of their earlier work. It will rank with Kid A and The Moon and Antarctica as the alternative-rock albums of this decade.
  50. dAVEJ
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    An excellent new album from Radiohead.
  51. AgroR
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    Music for a movie..a good one
  52. Alex
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    Incredible
  53. ChristophM
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    For perhaps the first time ever, Radiohead has given us an album with a completely positive and uplifting message. Where past efforts have been nigh-apocalyptic in their take on the modern world, In Rainbows is a 42-minute love song. In that, Radiohead exceeds expectations and beautifully captures the emotion of the album.
  54. Felix
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    Best album since Kid A, and OK Computer.
  55. TheTruthAKAKeep-it-Simple
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    Radioead's Pet Sounds..not that its their best or even my favorite, but it communicates cohesion and beauty better than any of their previous albums.
  56. AaronW.
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    spellbinding...every song is good...shines a light on a beautiful human heart
  57. CameronG.
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    The best music radiohead has pumped out for a long time! Brilliant!
  58. Ed
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    Once again Radiohead prove that they're a step ahead and a cut above pretty much everyone eslse out there. Stunning.
  59. GrandeF
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    Radiohead did it again!
  60. Masedogg
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    On the surface it's fun, creative, beautiful and strange. However, its secret brilliance lies in its subtleties...in sounds that anyone but the most careful listener will never hear. Yet they continue to present themselves after many listens. You are instantly subject to an emotional ride of hope and tragedy and many unsettling areas in between. Radiohead have not given their On the surface it's fun, creative, beautiful and strange. However, its secret brilliance lies in its subtleties...in sounds that anyone but the most careful listener will never hear. Yet they continue to present themselves after many listens. You are instantly subject to an emotional ride of hope and tragedy and many unsettling areas in between. Radiohead have not given their listeners this much to feel and think about ever before. Believe it or not, I think they're actually getting better… Expand
  61. RaymondH
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    A masterpiece. Not as good as Graduation but still the second best album of the decade.
  62. RichardF
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    It's like Kid A with guitars. Actually it's like Kid A with OK Computer. Since it's Radiohead you can also be pretty assured there is no filler.
  63. GabrielV
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    it was a long wait since the last album, but it wast worth every second of it. In Rainbows sounds new, fresh, but it's still radiohead, it's still one of the greatest bands alive today, once again they reinvented themselves, without even having the ambition of doing so, and thus making a hange that sounds completely natural and logical. It get's a little mellow at times, it was a long wait since the last album, but it wast worth every second of it. In Rainbows sounds new, fresh, but it's still radiohead, it's still one of the greatest bands alive today, once again they reinvented themselves, without even having the ambition of doing so, and thus making a hange that sounds completely natural and logical. It get's a little mellow at times, but in a grat way, 10 perect tracks, no fillers, just pure radiohead!.… Expand
  64. Marc
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    Sonorously, it sounds like a more confident Hail to the Theif, which is delicious in its own light.
  65. MatthewS
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    One of the most amazing albums to be composed. The fact that is scores one point higher than MIA and Arcade Fire is a joke, a really sad joke.
  66. EpictetoK
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    :0
  67. GillesB
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    Nice album :P
  68. AG
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    This album blew me away, there is no other band out there at the moment that can deliver such a diversity of sound and yet with such cohesion. The cohesion of the overall album marks it apart from their last effort (hail to the thief) and is probably their greatest to date. A fusion of all of Radioheads influences over the years have combined to create an astonishing sound
  69. Sam
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    Beautiful.
  70. Ronix
    Oct 14, 2007
    10
    As OMH put it: their work is critic-proof. And this album, I think, leaves no doubt about that. It cannot be criticized. Or, at least, it makes it very difficult to. Or, given a third option, it has to be criticized in a much different way that any other album is. In my opinion, and having heard if not a lot, a large amount of music, Radiohead keeps: a) reinventing themselves, since each As OMH put it: their work is critic-proof. And this album, I think, leaves no doubt about that. It cannot be criticized. Or, at least, it makes it very difficult to. Or, given a third option, it has to be criticized in a much different way that any other album is. In my opinion, and having heard if not a lot, a large amount of music, Radiohead keeps: a) reinventing themselves, since each Radiohead album sounds trully different to their previous material. This can be discussed in many ways, but what it makes it remarkable is that no matter how much success they get, they will reinvent their sound in their next work (it would've been easier for them to make TheBends-ish or OkComputer-ish albums over and over again, but they have chosen not to) b) making music that sounds like nothing you've heard before. You can try to match any of these songs to any kind of music, but you won't be able to get it right: it's just different. They're the ones to be resembled by other bands. And that's that, either you like Radiohead or not. And 'In Rainbows' is no exception to these two statements. And I think this is an incredible thing to achieve (or "re-achieve"). From '15 step' to 'Videotape', each song sounds different from anything else (brain tries to match it with something you've heard before and fails) and, in my opinion, each song sounds amazing. And, not to be disregarded, the album sounds trully like a whole, which is something most bands fail to achieve. I've been waiting for it for four years now (since Hail to the Thief) and I am far form dissapointed by the wait. They deserved to be waited. They are different. And we need them.… Expand
  71. ChrisS
    Oct 14, 2007
    10
    In Rainbows is an amzing record filled with masterpieces. All the songs are great. We see Radiohead at their best here.
  72. mh
    Oct 14, 2007
    10
    so sweet is this
  73. emmap
    Oct 14, 2007
    10
    I am in love, this is the most beautiful record of the year.
  74. ThomasB
    Oct 14, 2007
    10
    While it's not as experimental as Hail to the Thief, it still packs an emotional punch.
  75. AndrewH
    Oct 14, 2007
    10
    stupid dusted magazine needs to be removed. that hack doesn't know what he's talking about. I can accept other people's opinions when they're not so misinformed.
  76. MycroftW
    Oct 14, 2007
    10
    Perfect!
  77. Steve
    Oct 14, 2007
    10
    Love this album - just listened to it on a long coach ride on a rainy day, perfect. Standout tracks for me are 15 Step, Weird Fishes/Arpeggi, All I Need, but really, I love it all. Radiohead = best band in the world.
  78. AlexanderJ
    Oct 14, 2007
    10
    Best since OK
  79. VenturaV.
    Oct 14, 2007
    10
    Simply amazing!!!
  80. DeanP.
    Oct 14, 2007
    10
    Best Radiohead release since OK Computer. There is not a single dud on this one.
  81. RichB.
    Oct 14, 2007
    10
    Perfection. Best album since Kid A.
  82. Guillermot
    Oct 14, 2007
    10
    This is the most emotional album in any sense of the year all the six of them has evolve in a new sound that only doing amazing music for almost 20 years can achieve. its the sample that this is the real rock of our time
  83. jazzusj.
    Oct 14, 2007
    10
    Awesooome album, beautyfull songs, Tom's voice like wine, older -> better!
  84. OctavianI.
    Oct 14, 2007
    10
    Great album !
  85. JeffG
    Oct 14, 2007
    10
    Radiohead's seventh album continues their pattern of growth which, arguably, took a step back with 2003's Hail To The Thief. The combination of the songwriting skills that they have always possessed with the studio skills of Kid A has resulted in what may be their most brilliant work yet. As with any Radiohead album, the initial impression is just a taste of the appreciation Radiohead's seventh album continues their pattern of growth which, arguably, took a step back with 2003's Hail To The Thief. The combination of the songwriting skills that they have always possessed with the studio skills of Kid A has resulted in what may be their most brilliant work yet. As with any Radiohead album, the initial impression is just a taste of the appreciation which develops from repeated listens. Already most fans rank this as close to OK Computer and Kid A. In time, this album is sure to be seen as a masterful work in Radiohead's impressive progression.… Expand
  86. AndersW
    Oct 14, 2007
    10
    Radiohead have done it again.
  87. dmitri
    Oct 15, 2007
    10
    This is the most human record Radiohead have made in a decade. Listen close. The concepts of love and defiance in the face of annihilation will prove vital to the future of Western man.
  88. NW
    Oct 15, 2007
    10
    Radiohead has learned through their artistic refiners fire that brilliant music can be both innovative and original, while still being accessable. And that's it's okay to write songs to smile to.
  89. PeterS
    Oct 15, 2007
    10
    Could hardly be more pleased with how this one turned out. Hugely looking forward to the second CD.
  90. DanielG
    Oct 15, 2007
    10
    one of the best radiohead albums. i can't wait for the bonuns tracks!
  91. SamuelP
    Oct 15, 2007
    10
    Radiohead is still great, fifteen years later. While not as epic as OK Computer, this album is nevertheless original, channeling the creativity of works like Kid A into a genuinely effective masterpiece.
  92. jakew
    Oct 15, 2007
    10
    This album is a very smooth transition from Hail to the Thief; it's better in the all ways that it strives to be.
  93. TysonS
    Oct 15, 2007
    10
    Simply put: the most hauntingly beautiful example of rock I have ever heard.
  94. SammyB
    Oct 15, 2007
    10
    simply great.......could be their best....time will tell......could be the greatest album ever.....time will tell
  95. TobbiG.
    Oct 15, 2007
    10
    I can't stop listening to it... it is on repeat. Love it. Most honest work in music since the Beatles?
  96. Grant
    Nov 5, 2007
    10
    The first time I listened to this album, I admit I was slightly underwhelmed. But after repeated listening, this is may be their finest work to date
  97. KyleZ.
    Oct 15, 2007
    10
    What album are the guys over at Dusted Magazine listening to? Honestly Radiohead's best album.
  98. RylanL
    Oct 15, 2007
    10
    A resurregence from a band that never went away. Only radiohead could top themselves by releasing such a masterpiece and fundamentally changing the music landscape by denying the record companies their pennies. Ingenious culturally, and that's independent of the music.
  99. sethisawesome
    Nov 5, 2007
    10
    Not only the best album I've heard all year, its one of the best albums I've heard ever. Even better than Kid A. And I loves me some Kid A. My heart rate actually quickened during parts.
  100. DavidE.
    Oct 15, 2007
    10
    This album is amazing. It's better than those stupid pretentious indie rock critics from dusted magazine ranked it. Grow a pair of balls and listen to something other than an underground band.
Page:

Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best Album of 2007
1
#1 Most Discussed Album of 2007
1
#1 Most Shared Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 42 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 42
  3. Negative: 0 out of 42
  1. BBC collective
    90
    In Rainbows really does present Radiohead at their most full-blooded and confident.
    Read full review
  2. Billboard
    80
    Overall, the material feels more human, more honest, more assured.
    Read full review
  3. Dot Music
    80
    Happily, In Rainbows is pretty, pretty good.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »